Last reviewed: August 26, 2026 · Holiday data: May 19, 2026
South Africa observes 12 public holidays in 2025. 11 fall on a weekday and 1 land on a weekend, leaving 250 working days across the year on the national-only count.
2025 public holidays calendar
Date
Day
Holiday
Notes
Jan 1
Wednesday
New Year's Day
New Year's Day on Wednesday January 1 breaks the working week without an obvious adjacent-weekend bridge opportunity.
Mar 21
Friday
Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day on Friday March 21 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Apr 18
Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday on Friday April 18 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Apr 21
Monday
Family Day
Family Day on Monday April 21 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Apr 28
Monday
Freedom Day (observed)
Freedom Day (observed) on Monday April 28 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
May 1
Thursday
Workers' Day
Workers' Day on Thursday May 1 is a strong bridge-day candidate; many employers grant the Friday as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
Jun 16
Monday
Youth Day
Youth Day on Monday June 16 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Aug 9
Saturday (weekend)
National Women's Day
National Women's Day on a Saturday (August 9) is absorbed into the weekend; the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994 only shifts Sunday-falling holidays.
Sep 24
Wednesday
Heritage Day
Heritage Day on Wednesday September 24 breaks the working week without an obvious adjacent-weekend bridge opportunity.
Dec 16
Tuesday
Day of Reconciliation
Day of Reconciliation on Tuesday December 16 is a bridge-day candidate; the Monday is sometimes granted as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
Dec 25
Thursday
Christmas Day
Christmas Day on Thursday December 25 is a strong bridge-day candidate; many employers grant the Friday as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
Dec 26
Friday
Day of Goodwill
Day of Goodwill on Friday December 26 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
2025 year summary
Total days
365
Weekend days
104
Public holidays on weekdays
11
Working days
250
The 1 weekend-falling public holidays in 2025 are absorbed into the regular Saturday and Sunday count, so the working-day reduction comes only from the 11 weekday-falling entries. South Africa observes 12 public holidays under the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed under section 2 of the Act; Saturday-falling holidays are absorbed into the weekend without an in-lieu Monday.
Holidays not included
Religious observances such as Reformation Day, the Day of the Vow (pre-1994 December 16 name now replaced by Day of Reconciliation), and minor church-tradition days are not in this set. The Public Service Act and Basic Conditions of Employment Act apply only to the 12 statutory holidays. School holidays vary by province and term schedule and are excluded. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) follows the same observance schedule as the SARB.
How many public holidays does South Africa have in 2025?
South Africa observes 12 public holidays in 2025. Of those, 11 fall on a weekday and 1 land on a weekend. The complete list with dates and weekday placements is in the calendar table above.
How many working days does South Africa have in 2025?
South Africa has 250 working days in 2025 on the national-only count, after subtracting 104 weekend days and 11 weekday-falling public holidays. Regional or industry-specific holidays may further reduce the count for narrower contract definitions.
Which 2025 public holiday dates fall on a weekday?
11 of South Africa's 12 public holidays in 2025 fall on a weekday and reduce the working days count: New Year's Day (Wednesday, January 1); Human Rights Day (Friday, March 21); Good Friday (Friday, April 18); Family Day (Monday, April 21); Freedom Day (observed) (Monday, April 28); Workers' Day (Thursday, May 1); Youth Day (Monday, June 16); Heritage Day (Wednesday, September 24); Day of Reconciliation (Tuesday, December 16); Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25); Day of Goodwill (Friday, December 26).
Which 2025 holidays fall on a weekend and how are they handled?
1 public holidays in 2025 fall on a weekend: National Women's Day on Saturday, August 9. Sunday-falling South African holidays trigger an in-lieu Monday under section 2 of the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994; Saturday-falling holidays are absorbed into the weekend without an in-lieu Monday.